Taxpayers fed urge federal parties to return subsidy payments

Photo: The Canadian Press

Canada's three major political parties need to return federal subsidy payments meant for businesses struggling to survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation made the statement urging the parties to return funds totalling $1.8 million.

A recent story published by La Presse stated since March, the Liberal Party has received $850,000, the Conservatives $716,000 and the NDP $265,000.

“The purpose of this program is to assist struggling businesses during the economic shutdown,” said CTF federal director Aaron Wudrick.

“It was not intended to funnel millions of taxpayer dollars to political parties that already benefit from massive taxpayer subsidies.”

Wudrick added federal political parties have long benefitted from generous tax credits and election reimbursement programs that have resulted in more than $200 million in taxpayer subsidies to federal parties since 2016.

“Small businesses need a break right now because they had to shut down due to the pandemic and they don’t get huge subsidies,” said Wudrick.

“Federal political parties rack up tens of millions in donations annually – they should be able to weather this challenging time without gouging taxpayers in yet another way.”

The CTF has started a petition asking the that the money be returned.